Folding table



Oct. 13, 1953 A. M. ZALKIND 2,655,417

FOLDING TABLE Original Filed Oct. 3, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 13, 1953 A. M. ZALKIND 2,655,417

FOLDING TABLE Original Filed 001.. 3, 1947 5 sheots shiet 2 Oct. 13, 953 A. M. ZALKIND 7 FOLDING TABLE Original Filed Oct. 5, 1947 is Sheets-Sheet s IIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIII/IIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIII IIIIII/IIIIIII IIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIII Patented Oct. 13, 1953 FOLDING TABLE Albert M. Zalkind, Arlington, Va.

Continuation of application Serial No. 777,800, October 3, 1947. This application June 18, 1948, Serial No. 33,701

This invention pertains to tables of the type disclosed in my application Serial No. 777,800, filed October 3, 19 17, now abandoned, and more particularly to improved and novel features relating thereto, this being a continuing application.

In the foregoing application is disclosed a folding table so devised as to be used with a supplementary support, e. g. an armchair, the construction and arrangement bein such that the table top may be motivated so as to cause one edge thereof to rest on the arms of the chair for use as an armchair desk. Conversely, the table top may be thrust away from the arms of the chair so as to resume an independently supported condition. Various means are disclosed in the prior application for automatically actuating certain legs and support members of the table during to and fro movement of the table top so as to minimize the space occupied by these members, thus eliminating objectionable protuberances fore and aft which might interfere with the knees of the user or be struck by passersby.

Whereas in the prior application I disclose means comprising a torsion spring for motivating certain support members, I have found upon further experiment that there is some advantage in substituting a counterweight for the torsion spring, as will hereinafter be pointed out, and this is one feature to which the present invention is directed.

A further feature of the present invention resides in pivoting certain leg and support members at axes which are substantially separated, rather than on a common axis as disclosed in the prior application, which enables me to devise a more readily operable structure especially where a weight bias is used instead of a torsion spring.

Other objects and features of my present invention are to provide means for selectively adjusting the angle and/or level of the table top when used independently of supplementary support; to provide means for actuating certain support members by direct linkage with the table top when it is not desired to use the torsion spring or the counterweight heretofore mentioned; and to provide simple and rugged structures for achieving these goals.

My invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of my table in set-up condition;

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary view of a modified table top;

Claims. (01. 311-93) Fig. 2 is a front view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the folded table;

Fig. 4 shows a view of the table used in conjunction with supplementary support;

Fig. 5 is a rear View of the folded table;

Fig. 6 shows the undersurface of the table top, disclosing certain adjusting elements for varying angularity Fig. 6a is a view of one of the adjusting elements;

Fig. 7 is section through l-l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a modified adjusting means;

Fig. 8a is an element of the modified adjusting means;

Fig. 9 shows the table with the top thereof set at selective angles;

Fig. 10 shows a modification of the table with means for setting it up at a selected level;

Fig. 11 shows a detail of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 shows a modification of the level adjusting means;

Fig, 13 is a detail of Fig. 12, and

Fig. 14 shows a means for actuating certain support elements of the table in response to actuation of the table top.

Fig. 15 is a further modification.

With reference to Figs. 14, my novel table comprises a table top H), of plywood or the like, and main legs 13 pivoted to brackets [5 which are securely fastened to the underside of the table top. A pair of arms I8 are pivoted to the main legs [3 and have their upper extremities arranged to removably abut a cleat 20 (see Fig. '7) secured to the undersurface of the table top. A pair of rear legs 24 are pivoted to the main legs I3 and a pair of chains 21 secured to legs I3 and rear arms brace serves to maintain legs l3 and 24 in fixed angular relation. Braces 33 and 37 are utilized to rigidity legs I3 and arms l8, respectively. Skid buttons 38 are affixed to the extremities of the legs. The legs, arms and. braces may be suitably constructed of wood.

A counterweight 40 extends between the arms [8 exteriorly of the pivotal axis of the arms. The counterweight 40 may be a solid metal bar of sufllcient weight to maintain arms In biased upwardly in a clockwise direction, as seen on Fig. 1, the weight of the table top, however, being sufficient to maintain the upper extremities of the arms in engagement with the ends of cleat 20. If, however, the table top is pulled forward by a seated person so as to rest its forward edge on the arms of a chair, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, arms l8 swin clockwise to minimize the space taken thereby. The rear legs 24 slide along the floor during this forward motion, being freely pivoted to the main legs and longer from the pivotal point to the floor, assume the position shown in dotted lines, all as heretofore explained in detail in my prior application and as illustrated herein on Fig. 1.

Conversely, when the user thrusts the table top away from its positionon the arms of the chair, the rear legs are forced outwardly to the extent limited by chains 27, and the undersurface of the table top, acting in sliding engagement with the upper extremities of the arms I8, force re-abutment thereof with cleat 25.

The dotted position of Fig. 1 represents the" steepest table top angle, legs Iii being vertical, Which is obtainable with a chair having arms'of the height represented. The minimum angle is illustrated in Fig. 4, it being noted that stop cleats 45, secured to legs I3 and also tothe'undersurface of the table top,.prevent collapse and also determine the lower angle limit. By making the pivot connection between legs I3 and brackets I5 very tight, it is possible to secure intermediate positions, owing to the friction obtained by tight pivotal relation.

Thecounterweight 40 may be used as a handle in carrying the table in folded condition by providing access thereto by means of the cut-out 4'! in brace 31.

With particular attention to Fig. 2, it will be noted that pencil rests 50 and 52 are of unequal length, the shorter rest 50 being at the front edge. This shortening of rest 50' has the twofold purpose of eliminating interference with the forearms of a person using the table as an armchair desk, and also serves to permit the user to readily distinguish the front and rear edges; the front edge being usable with supplementary support whilst the rear edge is usable in a manher to be later described.

With particular attention to Fig. 3, when it is desired to set up the table from folded position, it is only necessary to push it forward to spread legs I3 and 24; the top I0 is then swung upwardly to slightly above horizontal, permitting arms I8 to swing clockwise owing to the overbalancing effect of counterweight M), arms. l8 passing cleat 20 in their rotation, whence the top I0 is dropped thus forcing engagement of the arms with the cleat. This is a very rapid. action, only two seconds or so being required. to set the table up. To fold the table, top I0 is: lifted to release arms I8 and the arms are manually swung counterclockwise past cleat 20, whence top I0 is swung all the way down; bar Allis then grasped and the table lifted off the floor whencelegs- 24 swing of their own. weight into alignment witlt legs I3, and the table may then he leaned against a wall, resting on the lower extremities of legs 24'. Folding of the table may likewise be accomplished in two seconds.

Particular attention is invitedto the novel effect-of counterweight 40 when the table is folded, it being noted that when arms I8. are vertical or substantially so, no torque is exerted by the counterweight which might tendto force: top I0 clockwise. a very light top II], to maintain a compact folded structure, as contracted with my prior structures in which torsion springs are used. Further, owing to the shortness of the arms, which is achieved by having a relatively high pivot point on legs I3, the arms assume a fairly large angle away from vertical when the table is set up, thus augmenting the effect of counterweight 40 to Thus no latch is needed, even. with ensure clockwise rotation when in the supplementary support position. It necessarily follows that counterweight need not be so heavy as would otherwise be the case. Further the shorter arms I8 are, the less likelihood of knee interference.

The relatively high pivot point is an important feature and is effected by substantial separation of the pivotal axes between arms I8 and legs 24, as contrasted with my prior structures, it being appreciated that the pivotal axis of legs 24 is determined by other considerations such as the length of leg required, structural strength and operab'ility; for example, for a given length of leg 24, the pivotal axis must be such that the distance on the main leg I3 from such axis to the lower extremity thereof is less than the given length of leg 24.

It: will accordingly be seen that my present structure possesses certain advantages by virtue of the use of a counterweight, short arms, and separated axes, all as heretofore pointed out. If desired, the forward portion of the top can have tapered sides to achieve a centering effect when used on the chair arms, as seen in Fig. la.

With reference now to Figs. 5-9, there is illustrated a means of varying angularity of a table otherwise constructed in accordance with the previous disclosure. The particular structure of Figs. 5-7 comprises a pair of stepped plates 6| (Fig. 6a) slidably disposed between cleat 20 and a rabbeted member 63 (Fig. 7). Normally, plates are in the inner position a (Fig. 6), Where they do not block access of the upper extremities of arms I8 to cleat 20. If, however, plates 60 are slid outwardly in opposite direction to position b, edges 1) (Fig. 601 thereof can be brought into abutment with the arm tips as shown in full linesin Fig. 9 to support top ID at a relatively high angle. Thus the table is usable as a drafting. board, the user sitting on a chair or stool at the rear edge as indicated by pencil rest 52. In a similar manner, if plates 60 are slid farther out to position 0 (Fig. 6), the tips of arms I8 abut edges 0 (Fig. 6a) and a suitable writing table angle is effectedas indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 9.

Stop studs 61 may be utilized to limit outward motion ofv plates 69 and any suitable catch II may be used to lock the plates in the normal innermost position, although friction with rabbeted member 63 and. cleat. 2 0 has been found expedient.

Figs. 8 and 80. show a modification of the angle adjusting means in that a singleplate '15 having two portions stepped as a-b"-c"-d is slidably arranged between members TI and: 19, member l9 being rabbeted. The: normal, or level position of the table, is had when arm I8 tips abut the respective steps (1". Angular adjustment is achieved by sliding plate to the left to effect abutment of the arm tipswith any selected steps, respectively.

In. Figs. 10 and 1 1- I disclosed means for varying the effective length of chains 27 to achieve variation in table level and/or angle. The construction consists of fastening the rear endsof the chain to a bracket 83; which is pivoted in the ends of, brace 30, although the-bracketends could be pivoted in legs 2'4-as well. As seen in Fig. 10, in dotted lines, when bracket 83-isswung to downward position the angle between legs I3 and 24 is predetermined so that-engagement with arms- I8- with cleat 2tl maintains"- the table in normal level position. If, however, bracket 83 is swung to the upper position, the angle between legs I3 and 24 is considerably increased, a cleat 86 being provided for engagement with the arm tips for obtaining a level position; or the arm tip may be left in abutment with cleat 20 whereat top I0 is maintained at a writing angle, rear edge at 52 being somewhat lower in this case than if angularity were achieved with plates 60 as heretofore described. This lowering of the rear increases the utility of the table as a writing desk for children. By comparing the full and dotted lines of Fig. it will be seen that a substantial difference in level is achieved, enabling the table to be used for playing cards at the higher level, or as a coffee table at the lower level.

It will be appreciated that cleat 86 may be dispensed within the event plates 60 or plate I5 (Fig. 8a) were suitably designed and disposed to achieve both angular adjustment and leveling.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a modification of the chain adjusting means, wherein a plurality of effective chain lengths are achieved by fastening the forward ends of chains 21 to a bar 90, the ends of the bar being slidably in slots 92 mortised in legs I3. Slots 92 have opposingly related notches 94 to accommodate respective ends of bar 90, and it will be appreciated that the angle between legs I3 and 24 may be varied at will by adjustment of the bar 90 into selected notches.

Fig. 14 illustrates a further means for motivating arms I8 in response to to or fro motion of table top I0. The construction comprises a dowel I00 extending between the arm tips and maintained in resilient engagement with a cable or strap I03 secured at an end to top I0 and at its other end to a tension spring I05 which is likewise secured to the table. Members I03 and I05 extend for substantially the width of the top I0 and are centrally disposed with respect to arms I8. The operation is such that dowel I00 rides strap I03 at all times; thus when the top I0 is lifted upwardly from folded position, arms I8 snap past cleat 20, whence engagement is had therewith, all as heretofore described in connection with Figs. 1-5. In folding the table, top I0 is lifted slightly and arms I8 manually rotated counterclockwise past the point of enagement with cleat 20.

Fig. 15 illustrates still another mode of motivating the arms, in that a cantilever spring IIO, which may be wood or metal, is secured to table top I0 in spaced relation as by a block II2. Dowel I00 rides spring H0 at all times, the operation being the same as that heretofore described in connection with Fig. 14.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a folding table intended for use with a supplementary support such as the arms of a chair; a table top, a main leg means pivotally connected thereto and having lower tip means adapted to engage a floor, said table top and said main leg means being free to pivot with respect to each other, arm means pivotally connected to said main leg means and having free end means arcuately movable with respect to said main leg means, including biasing means for biasing said arm means rotatably to urge the free end means toward said table top, abutment means carried by said table top on the under surface thereof and engageable with said free end means, pivotable downward motion of said table top being operative to rotate said arm means in a direction opposite to the direction of said bias of said arm means and into engagement with said abutment, the weight of said table top being sufiicient to overcome the force of said biasing means, and rear leg means having a pivotal connection with said main leg means and being pivotal with respect thereto independently of said arm means, said rear leg means having extremities adapted for sliding contact with a floor and being longer than said main leg means from the pivotal connection therebetween to the floor so as to be actuatable pivotally away from said main leg means by reaction against said floor when said main le means is pivoted on said floor in a direction away from a supplementary support.

2. A folding table as set forth in claim 1, wherein said abutment means comprises at least one movable element having stepped edges which are selectively positionable for engagement with said free end means.

3. A folding table as set forth in claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a weight secured to said arm means.

4. A folding table as set forth in claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a resilient element disposed to bear against said arm means.

5. A folding table as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pivotal axes of said arm means and said rear leg means are at spaced points on said main leg means.

ALBERT M. ZALKIND.

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